Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
The Bruins volleyball team won six straight sets in their Saturday doubleheader as the team defeated Johnson University (3-0) and Morris College (3-0). With the win, head coach Vickie Denny surpassed 1,000 career wins.
 
"We were stretched. We were pushed. That's good for us," coach Denny said.
 
The Bruins were playing on their third straight day as the team was coming off of a split doubleheader on Thursday and a road win over Piedmont International University on Friday night. In the first match of the day, the Bruins welcomed Johnson University as the Royals were 10-7 on the season. 
 
In the first set of the match, the Bruins came out energized and stormed out to a big lead. Kirstin Christmas served 11 points in a row giving the Bruins a comfortable lead over the Royals 12-0. Later in the set, Christmas had a couple powerful kills and Rachel Tubbs served four points for the Bruins as the team won the first set by a wide margin 25-7.
 
With the win from the first set the Bruins came out in the second set with confidence. Tubbs started the Bruins with five service points as the Bruins again gained the early lead. A couple plays later, Christmas served five points in a row as the Bruins stretched their lead to 11-4. The Royals were able to make a couple runs to earn some points and diminish the lead, but the Bruins continued to cover the court and communicate. Though the Royals held strong until the end, the Bruins were able to put the second match away 25-16.
 
The third set started a little slower for the Bruins, but Emily Wynn was able to earn the Bruins four points off of serves to bring them ahead by three points. The Bruins kept up the high energy, but suddenly the Royals showed a spark and getting a couple runs they tied it up 10-10. The Royals were showing a whole new side of themselves as they gained momentum to try to prevent the sweep. Emily Wynn got another serving streak and Kendra Jeffcott hit two kills to bring the Bruins up by four. But the Royals refused to back down as they fought their way back and took the lead 24-23. The Bruins defense won the ball back and Kirstin Christmas served two for the Bruins to win the third set 26-24 and the match 3-0.
 
"I think the girls got a little uptight which caused some mistakes at the end," coach Denny said. "I told them to relax. We only needed two more points. But it definitely made for an exciting and memorable thousandth win."
 
In their second match of the day, the Bruins faced the Morris College Hornets. The two teams had met earlier in the season with the Bruins winning 3-0. Coach Denny switched up the lineup formation to start the match. The new-look Bruins came out with renewed energy in the opening set. A couple plays in, Erin Jarvis went back to serve and gave the Bruins a nine-point lead. The Hornets struggled to return the ball and were challenged by the Bruins defensive blockers. Saleena Walker helped increase the Bruins lead by serving four in a row. The possession changed frequently the rest of the set, but the Bruins came out on top 25-11.
 
In the second set, the Bruins easily took the lead from the beginning staying ahead by one or two points. At the midway point of the set, the team began to struggle which allowed the Hornets to battle all the way back to tie it up 9-9. Again, Walker provided the serving touch as she served four in a row to help the Bruins gain a small lead again 15-11. Though the Hornets got a few more points in it wasn't enough to prove a threat to the team as the Bruins took the second set 25-16.
 
In the third and final set the Bruins quickly fell behind 7-2. After a timeout, Marjorie Elliott served four in a row which sparked the offense as the Bruins were able to take the lead 15-12. Later, the Hornets had a five-point service streak that nearly gave them the lead, but Saleena Walker was able to step up and serve four in a row to help the Bruins keep the lead. The Hornets tried to battle back but went down without a sting as the Bruins put away the final set 25-20, winning the match 3-0.
 
"It was definitely a day for different lineups," coach Denny said. "I thought overall the bench did well and it was a good learning day for us."
 
Jeffcott led the team with 16 kills and 5 blocks for the day while Rachel Tubbs had 52 assists. With the wins, the Bruins improved to 18-8 on the season. Next up, the Bruins will again face Morris College on Tuesday night in Sumter, South Carolina.